Eyes Open by Taylor Swift // Music Monday

Ok, so I have an confession: I am not a fan of the Hunger Games. The movie was ok, and I found myself liking Katniss, but after reading a summery of the last two books, I can tell that it's definitely not my kind of story.

I do, however, really like this song from the soundtrack. It's by Taylor Swift, and I'm able to relate to it a lot. ♥

Wish List Wednesday (A Day Late)

1. Abashed in the Day Dress
2. Hoot and Holler Earbuds
3. Shut Eye to Eye Pillow Case
4. Mast of Disguise Dress
5. It's Never Too Ornate Clock in Teal
6. Afternoon Rendezvous Skirt
7. Sunny Skies Wedge
8. Everywhere You Bow Dress

Grotesquely Optimistic // Daily Outfit

I came up with the title of this post several days ago, (It's one of my favorite lines from Tangled, but I missed it the first half-dozen times or so that I saw it. It's actually from the the song I've Got a Dream. Flynn yells it out about Rapunzel when they're describing all the bad guys.) but then I realized that it really fits this post. There's a lot of bad in my life right now, but there's also a lot of good and I really don't want to focus on/talk about the bad, so I'm just going to tell you all about the good that's going on right now!

1. I got this dress over the weekend. It called out to me from the racks of Francesca's Collection, and as soon as I put it on I knew it would be leaving with me. Love at first wear. ♥
2.  I finally got my hands on a pair of knock off Jeffery Campbell Lita's and I cannot wait for them to arrive in the mail!!
3. I now have a new favorite band: Summertime's End (you can download their album, Light and Color here) ♥
4. My little sister got me started on a new TV show: Royal Pains. Perfect timing since two of my favorite shows don't start again till the autumn, and the third one's season is ending in three weeks.
5. I finally booked a senior portrait session with the lovely Marnie Bigelow and I am beyond excited for it! Her photography style and my taste match perfectly! ♥
6. Molly finally finished my Route 66 dress and I am totally taking it to the senior session.
7. I've finished two of the three pennant flag banners for my graduation party and I'm finishing the third today (I'm also taking one to my senior portrait session much like Molly did for her senior portraits)
8. Last week I finished two chalkboards similar to this one for my graduation party and I have one more to finish up. I love them. ♥
9. I now have several Ball/Kerr/Mason jars for my graduation party
10. This week I'm planning on ordering some of these strippey straws for my graduation party
11. I'm really loving doing all this DIY stuff for my party. I feel a bit like I'm planning a wedding - in the best way! ♥

   ♥ ♥ ♥              

dress: Francesca's Collections

belt: thrifted

jacket: TopShop

sandals: ModCloth

bag: ModCloth

sun glasses: Target

We Love Colors Giveaway Winner

Ok, sorry I'm posting this late, but when I said I'd announce the winner on Monday I forgot that I wouldn't even be home on Monday! Lol!

Anyway, the winner is Kelly! Wooh! Shoot me an email with your address and I'll get the tights out to you ASAP!

This is the Stuff by Francesca Battistelli // Music Monday

This is one of my favorite songs ever. It's such an upbeat tune, and I love the reminder to look on the bright side and remember that God has everything under control. I had a bit of an emotional week last week, and this song totally encouraged me through the whole thing. ♥

Her Grandmothers Dress // Daily Outfit

Ok, so this isn't exactly a dress, and none of it is my grandmothers, but the detail of this crochet collar totally reminded me of something from a grandmother's attic, and I love the song that lyric comes from, so I decided to use it anyway.

This blouse was the second piece Lauren sent me to style up. I really wanted to wear it with my ModCloth wedges, but after walking home from work in the rain I decided I'd better put on some tights and boots. I still really like the look. I've been really into sheer blouses lately.

You can see how Lauren styled this over on her blog.

Hope you all are having a lovely Monday so far! 

***                 

blouse: borrowed from Lauren

skirt: thrifted

tights: Target

boots: DSW

jacket: TopShop

Friday Favorites

Hopefully you'll be reading this as I drive down state with my family to stay with my grandparents for the weekend, but with Blogspot's auto post not working this might not be up till I get a chance to open my laptop and push "publish" once I get there. Boo!

Anyway, my cousin and I have a fun time planned for this weekend. We have lots of fun errands to run (fabric store, outfit photos, etc), a frozen yogurt date, a dinner date, and a photo shoot planned. I can't wait! Hope your weekend is as nice!

These photos from Tieka of Selective Potential. That dress! Those shoes! That location! I die. <3

This video. It was so eye opening to watch, because it was like he was describing my blogging journey. For so long I knew what good posts looked like/read like, but everything I posted on here was just so inferior. It's only been that past few months that I've been actually really happy with my posts and template.

This post on being yourself from Meg of Bow Ties are Cool.

This tutorial to make tulle pompoms

 This bracelet

This first chapter teaser of the book Haphazardly Implausible by Miss Jack. Not gonna lie. I had way too much fun formatting that document for Jack.
This song.
These pretty images.
The lovely color palate in this outfit.
This post on being your own kind of blogger.